How to access $threadbits??

[gcc.programmer]

I've been called upon to do some modifications to vB 3.8.x, and though I'm a PHP programmer, I'm sure everyone here knows that doesn't mean squat for *knowing* how to code vB! I'm hoping to cut corners in having to read through a lot of source code.

I've done all the I suppose "regular" things, i.e. importing ./global.php, as well as some of the source from index.php to grab hold of some of the variables it exposes. A bit more difficult is finding the ellusive $threadbits. It appears that some of the db access done in forumdisplay.php may be what I need, but I don't find the actual variable $threadbits being built there.

Is there a resource I could be pointed to that breaks down vB databases, or even some source code someone might share that would allow me to grab $threadbits in my template?

I've essentially created a test.php file, and a TEST template, and am able to pull in, as I said, the info built in the index.php page.

Any guidance or wisdom would be greatly appreciated!